Bone Conduction Ear Hook for Conductive Hearing Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with conductive hearing loss often do not derive sufficient benefit from conventional acoustic hearing aids and require alternative methods to perceive sound, as their hair cells in the cochlea remain undamaged but the mechanical pathways are impaired.
Innovation Solution
A behind-the-ear (BTE) device with an ear hook apparatus that includes an ear hook tip, ear hook chassis, and a male connector, which attaches to the BTE device at or below the base of the BTE electronics module, providing a mechanism for bone conduction by converting sound into mechanical vibrations that bypass the normal mechanical pathways and directly stimulate the auditory system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional acoustic hearing aids are used, then air conduction amplification is provided, but individuals with conductive hearing loss do not derive sufficient benefit because the mechanical pathways are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The ear hook apparatus serves as an intermediary component that couples the BTE device to the user's ear and skull structure. It provides a mechanical pathway for bone conduction vibrations to reach the cochlea directly, bypassing the impeded air conduction pathway through the ear canal and ossicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the acoustic hearing aid's air conduction mechanism with a bone conduction mechanism. Instead of amplifying sound through the air-filled ear canal and ossicular chain, the system converts sound into mechanical vibrations that are transmitted through the skull bones directly to the cochlea.
2Ease of operation
If the ear interface is made operationally removable for ease of fitting, then adaptability is improved, but safety connection must be maintained to prevent loss
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable connection. The ear interface can be easily inserted and removed by the user or clinician, yet when attached, it forms a secure mechanical and electrical connection that maintains reliability during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The BTE device is divided into separable components: the electronics module and the ear interface. This segmentation allows the ear interface to be independently replaced or adjusted while maintaining the core functionality of the device, improving both ease of operation and adaptability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the male connector attaches at or below the base of the BTE electronics module, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector attachment point is moved from the traditional ear hook position to the base of the electronics module, utilizing the vertical dimension of the device structure. This provides additional structural support and stability by anchoring the ear interface at multiple points along the device length.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The BTE device effectively enables sound perception in individuals with conductive hearing loss by using bone conduction, providing an alternative solution for those who do not benefit from traditional acoustic hearing aids, thereby improving sound perception without damaging existing hair cells.
Implementation Method 1
certain types of hearing prostheses, commonly referred to as bone conduction devices, convert a received sound into mechanical vibrations. The vibrations are transferred through the skull to the cochlea causing generation of nerve impulses
Data Source
AI summary
An ear hook apparatus, including an ear hook tip, an ear hook chassis, and a male connector, wherein the ear hook apparatus is configured such that the male connector attaches to one or more components of a BTE device at and/or below a base of a BTE electronics module of the BTE device.